Latest government announcement on PE and School Sport

The government issued a press release with an update on the new PE and Sport network and the future of the PE Premium. You can read the full release here.

Why is the new PE and Sport network being implemented?

The government want to shift to an integrated national support system. One that is school-centred, consistent, quality-assured and has high quality targeted interventions and support for every school.

As shared in a recent DfE market engagement event, this is due to the inequalities we continue to see in children and young people’s physical activity as well as the inconsistent access, inequality, variable quality, duplication of support for schools that currently exists across the sector.

The new school-centred network will aim to:

• Build strong partnerships between schools, local clubs and NGBs
• Identify and break down barriers to PE, sport and physical activity
• Focus to improve activity levels for pupils from less affluent backgrounds, pupils from Black, Asian     and other ethnicities, pupils with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) and girls.

What other details do we now know?

• The new network will replace the existing PE and Sport Premium funding that schools have been receiving on an annual basis
• Schools will be given one term of PE Premium next academic year – to cover the transition period up to Spring 2027
• Schools will be asked to report on this spending at a later stage
• Once operational, the new network will support schools with both a universal and targeted offer of support. This includes the integration of the current Sport England funded School Games Programme.
• The support will be through an online digital platform and services delivered directly within schools by National, Regional & Local Partners and Networks

What’s next?

• The tender for the National Delivery Partner contract will be released in early June.
• The National Delivery Partner will be in place by Autumn 2026
• The government expect the new PE & Sport network to be fully implemented and operational by Spring 2027.
• Further detail and clarity on the national delivery model and the implications locally will be released over the coming months

Responses from key sector national organisations can also be viewed here:

• Youth Sport Trust
• Association of PE
• Sport England